The ANOC Executive Council held its first meeting since the General Assembly in Seoul in October ©ANOC

Robin Mitchell has chaired his first Executive Council meeting since becoming Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) President on a permanent basis here, which he claimed featured "many encouraging reports".

The Fijian, also an International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board member and President of the Oceania National Olympic Committees, was elected unopposed to the Presidential role at the ANOC General Assembly in Seoul in October, meaning he is set to lead the organisation through to 2026.

Mitchell had previously been Acting President since 2018 after Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah stood aside following charges of forgery in Switzerland.

Mitchell's report to the Executive Council included updates from the IOC Executive Board.

ANOC secretary general Gunilla Lindberg and Mustapha Berraf, Spyros Capralos, Nevan Ilic and Randhir Singh, Presidents of the Continental Associations in Africa, Europe, the Americas and Asia, respectively, all provided updates at the hybrid meeting.

It was agreed that the Continental Associations would play a role in recommending individuals to the various ANOC Commissions, whose composition is under review.

Robin Mitchell, third right, was elected as ANOC President in October, having held the role on an acting basis since 2018 ©ANOC
Robin Mitchell, third right, was elected as ANOC President in October, having held the role on an acting basis since 2018 ©ANOC

An update on next year's World Beach Games in Bali was heard, a report provided on the first ANOC Seminars for Sports and Technical Directors in Sintra in November which featured 55 participants from 41 National Olympic Committees, and a discussion held reviewing ANOC's brand and maximising sponsorship and marketing opportunities.

Finally, the Executive Council was updated on the Digital Accelerator Programme and Sustainability Plan.

"Today we heard many encouraging reports and updates at both an ANOC and continental level," Mitchell said.

"There is so much excellent work going into supporting and serving the National Olympic Committees and as the ANOC Executive Council it is our responsibility to build on this and improve it further."

Additionally to the Executive Council meeting, ANOC welcomed President Gao Zhidan and other Chinese Olympic Committee officials to its offices.

Lindberg congratulated the Chinese Olympic Committee on the staging of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, and discussed ways ANOC could cooperate with the national body.

Gao succeeded Gou Zhongwen as President in September, and is also set to attend the Olympic Summit in Lausanne tomorrow.